What does "reconciliation" mean?
The re-establishment of friendly relations; conciliation, rapprochement.
Reconciliation
/ˌɹɛk(ə)nsɪlɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The re-establishment of friendly relations; conciliation, rapprochement.
- Grammar: reconciliation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: balancing, acceptance, accommodation, accord.
- Useful contrasts: broken ties, anathema, anathemas.
- Usage evidence: He says racial reconciliation and nation building will be the aims of his government.
How to use "reconciliation"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "reconciliation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "reconciliation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "reconciliation" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "reconciliation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "balancing" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "reconciliation", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The re-establishment of friendly relations; conciliation, rapprochement. countable, uncountable
"He longed for reconciliation with his estranged father, but painful memories made him feel unready to do so."
- 2 getting two things to correspond wordnet
- 3 The process of comparing and resolving apparent differences between sets of accounting records, or between accounting records and bank statements, receipts, etc. countable, uncountable
- 4 the reestablishing of cordial relations wordnet
- 5 Religious senses.; The end of estrangement between a human and God as a result of atonement. countable, uncountable
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 Religious senses.; The reconsecration of a desecrated church or other holy site. countable, uncountable
- 7 Religious senses.; Admission of a person to membership of the church, or readmission after the person has previously left the church. countable, uncountable
- 8 Religious senses.; Ellipsis of sacrament of reconciliation (“a sacrament (sacred ritual) also called confession, involving contrition by a person, confessing sins to a priest, penance performed by the person, and absolution granted by the priest”). abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
- 9 The process of systemically atoning for the crimes and broken promises that a nation has historically committed against indigenous people. Australia, Canada, countable, uncountable
"In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission makes the following calls to action."
Example
"He says racial reconciliation and nation building will be the aims of his government."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "reconciliation"?
Common synonyms include: balancing, acceptance, accommodation, accord, accord, accordance.
How do you use "reconciliation" in a sentence?
He says racial reconciliation and nation building will be the aims of his government.
How do you pronounce "reconciliation"?
Pronounced /ˌɹɛk(ə)nsɪlɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n/.
Etymology
From Middle English reconciliacioun (“act of reconciling; state of accord or harmony;”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman reconciliaciun, reconsiliacion, reconsiliaciun, and Middle French reconciliation, reconsiliacion, reconsiliation (“act of reconciling; result of this act; act of bringing about agreement or harmony; reconsecration of a desecrated place”) (modern French réconciliation), and from their Latin etymon reconciliātiō (“reinstatement, renewal, restoration; reconciliation”), from reconciliāre + -tiō.